Liverpool Vision are backing a pilot app which was launched yesterday in time for the arrival of the Royal de Luxe Giant Spectacle.

The  i’m@app aims to enhance the cultural experience and understanding of both guests and visitors to the city as they enjoy the city’s portfolio of incredible museums, galleries, exhibitions and events.

The new app will generate a catalogue of content for the user, using revolutionary geo-fencing and beacon technology, providing tips, information and guidance on what they are seeing. Content will include items such as an introduction to the Bluecoat’s gallery spaces from creative director Bryan Biggs, a video explaining how the Dazzle Ship was painted and an audio tour around the Open Eye Gallery.

Creative director of i’m@app Jeff Boardman, said:

“It’s not just Liverpool’s rich cultural landscape that will add so much knowledge to this beta project, it’s also the people who live here.

“I don’t think there is anywhere else in the UK that would be as open, welcoming and generous as Liverpool City and its people. Their time and enthusiasm will make this project a success.

“For this beta trial to work, we needed to find somewhere with an impressive history of arts and culture – but also a place where the residents would be willing to help build something new and exciting for the future.

“Liverpool has so much amazing art and culture to offer. This trial will help us understand how we can make that experience even richer – that’s why we need honest feedback from enthusiastic individuals. Liverpool and its people are perfect for that.”

Founder and solutions director of Purple Seven Stuart Nicolle, commented:

“This App really is unique in the way it utilises both geo-fence and beacon technology to enhance the experience of visitors to Liverpool rather than simply to promote offers.

“Its power lies in its simplicity. As you approach an exhibit or even a painting within a gallery, the app will automatically deliver relevant and interesting content. For a visitor to the area or as a resident of the city, this is a truly helpful use of technology aimed solely at enhancing the visitors’ experience. The app will contain unique content that can’t be found on the web, so visitors will not only get the content delivered automatically at the relevant time, they will also get access to content unavailable to non-app users.”

The app trial will run from 22 July to 26 October 2014 when the i’m@app will be evaluated and reviewed by an expert data scientist in the hopes of finding exciting and innovative ways of experience the city’s ever-broadening cultural offerings.

Image source: Independents Biennial